Repatriation perspective in Pohnpei and Micronesia

Repatriation perspective

There has been a steady flow of repatriations into Pohnpei and the rest of Micronesia since May 2021.  The first group arrived from Guam via U.S. Coast Guard C-130 aircraft on May 13 and the second group arrived the following day, May 14, 2021.  The last group of 85 repatriates arrived on September 16, 2021.   Another group is expected to arrive in early October.  In the meantime, Kosrae and Yap's state have already started receiving their first group of repatriates.  Chuuk is still preparing as of September 2021.  The country remains COVID-19 free.

So far, so good

The Federated States of Micronesia has been very blessed to have received no positive cases as a result of the repatriations.  There have been "historical" cases that have popped up in some passengers while in quarantine, but no cases have been identified in the community.  

I have heard this time and again, that even one case would devastate our island communities.  When you consider how COVID-19 has affected our communities in the USA, then the word devastate is not an exaggeration.  I am very happy and humbled that we are not feeling the bite of COVID-19.  I don't want to either.  

So, we are doing well so far.  So far, so good.  Right now, we are in the midst of a vaccination campaign and the finish line is set when we reach 70%.  This has been explained as our safest and most effective way to keep our islands protected, vaccinations.  To this end, the FSM National Government has made COVID-19 vaccinations required.  The completion percentages are still climbing and there has been no real resistance to this action.  I am vaccinated and everyone in my family that can be vaccinated is vaccinated.  The State of Pohnpei is currently at 67 percent, almost at the 70% herd immunity level.

Micro(nesian) Perspective

There seems to be some sort of rush to repatriate people.  I remember that the priorities were set in the beginning.  First, it was those who were medically referred, those who were stranded because of the pandemic, and then essential workers.  After that, it would be on a case-by-case basis.  Then, in the midst of our repatriations, the DELTA variant hits.  Now, our two gateways to Micronesia are rife with the variant.  Guam is still showing high numbers and in Hawaii, the numbers are also high.  These two locations are where we receive all of our repatriates by airplane.  

It has been suggested many times and I agree with this view to stop or really slow down the repatriations, for now.  If we have already recovered our priorities, then there is no need to return.  If you reside in the USA or abroad, please stay put. This is not a time to be traveling abroad.  Last time I checked and as far as I know, we are still in a global pandemic.  I think we still have students stranded abroad and essential workers who need to come in.  

The health system in Micronesia, in the Federated States of Micronesia, is not one that can cope with the types of numbers that have been seen in the USA or elsewhere in the world.  This is the practical perspective of COVID-19 from Micronesia.  Slow down the repatriations or even stop them until we are well beyond the 70% herd immunity goal and then consider if our young ones will also get the vaccination to boost our immunity level.  Prevention and precaution are what we need until the pandemic is no more.  We can wait, we can't afford not to wait.